The Los Angeles Lakers are moving up on the free agency list of LaMarcus Aldridge.

The Portland Trail Blazers traded away Nicolas Batum to the Charlotte Hornets, which is a signal of the team potentially bracing for his exit.

The Lakers appear to be passing the Dallas Mavericks on Aldridge's list with the San Antonio Spurs remaining No. 1. The Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks will also be considered.

"He's gone," a source close to Aldridge said. "There's a 99.9 percent chance that he's out of Portland."

 

Aldridge doesn't feel like the Blazers can attract top free agents and he also feels underappreciated by the organization.

"He has tons of respect for coach [Gregg] Popovich," one source told Broussard. "And he thinks highly of their organization and front office."